UC-NRLF 


B    M    a3t,    b30 


THE  POEMS  OF  SAPPHO 


The  Poems  of  Sappho 


An  Interpretative  Rendition  into  English 


BY 

JOHN  MYERS  O'HARA 


PORTLAND:    MDCCCCX 


COPYRIGHT,    19 1 0 
BY  SMITH  &  SALE,  PUBLISHERS 


Of  this  edition,  five  hundred  copies 
were  printed  on  hand-made  paper 
from  type  afterwards  distributed, 
in  fuly,  MDCCCCX 


Who  shall  strike  the  wax  of  mystery  from  those  priceless 
amphora,  and  give  to  the  unsophisticated  nostrils  of  the  aver- 
age reader  the  ravishing  botiquet  of  wine  pressed  in  a  garden  in 
Mitylene,  twentyfve  centuries  ago  ?  —  MAURICE  THOMPSON. 


'T^HEN  to  me  so  lyi?ig  awake  a  vision 

Came  without  sleep  over  the  seas  and  touched  me, 
Softly  totiched  mine  eyelids  and  lips  ;  and  /,  too, 
Full  of  the  vision, 

Saw  the  white  implacable  Aphrodite, 
Sa7v  the  hair  unbound  and  the  feet  unsandalled 
Shine  as  fire  of  sunset  on  western  waters  ; 
Saw  the  reluctant 

Feet,  the  straining  plumes  of  the  doves  that  drew  her. 
Looking  always,  looking  with  necks  reverted 
Back  to  Lesbos^  back  to  the  hills  whereunder 
Shone  Mitylene. 

SWINBURNE. 


293516 


fi  ^£06',  TTi's  apa  KuTrpts,  t]  Tts  t/u,epos 
—  SOPHOCLES. 


SAPPHICS 


THE  MUSES 

HITHER  now,  O  Muses,  leaving  the  golden 
House  of  God  unseen  in  the  azure  spaces, 
Come  and  breathe  on  bosom  and  brow  and  kindle 
Song  like  the  sunglow ; 

Come  and  lift  my  shaken  soul  to  the  sacred 
Shadow  cast  by  HeUcon's  rustling  forests  ; 
Sweep  on  wings  of  flame  from  the  middle  ether, 
Seize  and  uplift  me  ; 

Thrill  my  heart  that  throbs  with  unwonted  fervor, 
Chasten  mouth  and  throat  with  immortal  kisses, 
Till  I  yield  on  maddening  heights  the  very 
Breath  of  my  body. 


MUSAGETES 

COME  with  Musagetes,  ye  Hours  and  Graces, 
Dance  around  the  team  of  swans  that  attend  him 
Up  Parnassian  heights,  to  his  holy  temple 
High  on  the  hill-top  ; 

Come,  ye  Muses,  too,  from  the  shades  of  Pindus, 
Let  your  songs,  that  echo  on  winds  of  rapture. 
Wake  the  lyre  he  tunes  to  the  sweet  inspiring 
Sound  of  your  voices. 


^'' 


LOVE'S  BANQUET 

IF  Panormus,  Cyprus  or  Paphos  hold  thee, 
Either  home  of  Gods  or  the  island  temple, 
Hark  again  and  come  at  my  invocation, 
Goddess  benefic ; 

Come  thou,  foam-born  Kypris,  and  pour  in  dainty 
Cups  of  amber  gold  thy  delicate  nectar. 
Subtly  mixed  with  fire  that  will  swiftly  kindle 
Love  in  our  bosoms  ; 

Thus  the  bowl  ambrosial  was  stirred  in  Paphos 
For  the  feast,  and  taking  the  burnished  ladle, 
Hermes  poured  the  wine  for  the  Gods  who  lifted 
Reverent  beakers  ; 

High  they  held  their  goblets  and  made  libation, 
Spilling  wine  as  pledge  to  the  Fates  and  Hades, 
Quaffing  deep  and  binding  their  hearts  to  Eros, 
Lauding  thy  servant. 

So  to  me  and  my  Lesbians  round  me  gathered. 
Each  made  mine,  an  amphor  of  love  long  tasted. 
Bid  us  drink,  who  sigh  for  thy  thrill  ecstatic. 
Passion's  full  goblet; 

Grant  me  this,  O  Kypris,  and  on  thy  altar 
Dawn  will  see  a  goat  of  the  breed  of  Naxos, 
Snowy  doves  from  Cos  and  the  drip  of  rarest 
Lesbian  vintage ; 

For  a  regal  taste  is  mine  and  the  glowing 
Zenith-lure  and  beauty  of  suns  must  brighten 
Love  for  me,  that  ever  upon  perfection 
Trembles  elusive. 


MOON  AND  STARS 

WHEN  the  moon  at  full  on  the  sill  of  heaven 
Lights  her  beacon,  flooding  the  earth  with  silver, 
All  the  shining  stars  that  about  her  cluster 
Hide  their  fair  faces  ; 

So  when  Anactoria's  beauty  dazzles 
Sight  of  mine,  grown  dim  with  the  joy  it  gives  me, 
Gorgo,  Atthis,  Gyrinno,  all  the  others 
Fade  from  my  vision. 


ODE  TO  ANACTORIA 

PEER  of  Gods  to  me  is  the  man  thy  presence 
Crowns  with  joy  ;  who  hears,  as  he  sits  beside  thee, 
Accents  sweet  of  thy  lips  the  silence  breaking, 
With  lovely  laughter ; 

Tones  that  make  the  heart  in  my  bosom  flutter, 
For  if  I,  the  space  of  a  moment  even, 
Near  to  thee  come,  any  word  I  would  utter 
Instantly  fails  me  ; 

Vain  my  stricken  tongue  would  a  whisper  fashion. 
Subtly  under  my  skin  runs  fire  ecstatic ; 
Straightway  mists  surge  dim  to  my  eyes  and  leave  them 
Reft  of  their  vision  ; 

Echoes  ring  in  my  ears ;  a  trembling  seizes 
All  my  body  bathed  in  soft  perspiration ; 
Pale  as  grass  I  grow  in  my  passion's  madness, 
Like  one  insensate ; 

But  must  I  dare  all,  since  to  me  unworthy. 
Bliss  thy  beauty  brings  that  a  God  might  envy ; 
Never  yet  was  fervid  woman  a  fairer 
Image  of  Kypris. 

Ah  !  undying  Daughter  of  God,  befriend  me  ! 
Calm  my  blood  that  thrills  with  impending  transport ; 
Feed  my  lips  the  murmur  of  words  to  stir  her 
Bosom  to  pity ; 

Overcome  with  kisses  her  faintest  protest. 
Melt  her  mood  to  mine  with  amorous  touches. 
Till  her  low  assent  and  her  sigh's  abandon 
Lure  me  to  rapture. 


THE  ROSE 

IF  it  pleased  the  whim  of  Zeus  in  an  idle 
Hour  to  choose  a  king  for  the  flowers,  he  surely 
Would  have  crowned  the  rose  for  its  regal  beauty, 
Deeming  it  peerless ; 

By  its  grace  is  valley  and  hill  embellished. 
Earth  is  made  a  shrine  for  the  lover's  ardor  ; 
Dear  it  is  to  flowers  as  the  charm  of  lovely 
Eyes  are  to  mortals  ; 

Joy  and  pride  of  plants,  and  the  garden's  glory, 
Beauty's  blush  it  brings  to  the  cheek  of  meadows ; 
Draining  fire  and  dew  from  the  dawn  for  rarest 
Color  and  odor  ; 

Softly  breathed,  its  scent  is  a  plea  for  passion, 
When  it  blooms  to  welcome  the  kiss  of  Kypris ; 
Sheathed  in  fragrant  leaves  its  tremulous  petals 
Laugh  in  the  zephyr. 


ODE  TO  APHRODITE 

APHRODITE,  subtle  of  soul  and  deathless, 
Daughter  of  God,  weaver  of  wiles,  I  pray  thee 
Neither  with  care,  dread  Mistress,  nor  with  anguish, 
Slay  thou  my  spirit ! 

But  in  pity  hasten,  come  now  if  ever 
From  afar  of  old  when  my  voice  implored  thee. 
Thou  hast  deigned  to  listen,  leaving  the  golden 
House  of  thy  father 

With  thy  chariot  yoked ;  and  with  doves  that  drew  thee, 
Fair  and  fleet  around  the  dark  earth  from  heaven. 
Dipping  vibrant  wings  down  the  azure  distance. 
Through  the  mid-ether ; 

Very  swift  they  came  ;  and  thou,  gracious  Vision, 
Leaned  with  face  that  smiled  in  immortal  beauty. 
Leaned  to  me  and  asked,  "What  misfortune  threatened? 
Why  I  had  called  thee  ? " 

"  What  my  frenzied  heart  craved  in  utter  yearning, 
Whom  its  wild  desire  would  persuade  to  passion  ? 
What  disdainful  charms,  madly  worshipped,  slight  thee  ? 
Who  wrongs  thee,  Sappho  ?  " 

"  She  that  fain  would  fly,  she  shall  quickly  follow. 
She  that  now  rejects,  yet  with  gifts  shall  woo  thee, 
She  that  heeds  thee  not,  soon  shall  love  to  madness, 
Love  thee,  the  loth  one  !  " 

Come  to  me  now  thus,  Goddess,  and  release  me 
From  distress  and  pain  ;  and  all  my  distracted 
Heart  would  seek,  do  thou,  once  again  fulfilling, 
Still  be  my  ally  ! 


SUMMER 

SLUMBER  Streams  from  quivering  leaves  that  listless 
Bask  in  heat  and  stillness  of  Lesbian  summer ; 
Breathless  swoons  the  air  with  the  apple-blossoms' 
Delicate  odor ; 

From  the  shade  of  branches  that  droop  and  cover 
Shallow  trenches  winding  about  the  orchard, 
Restful  comes,  and  cool  to  the  sense,  the  flowing 
Murmur  of  water. 


lO 


THE  GARDEN  OF  THE  NYMPHS 

ALL  around  through  the  apple  boughs  in  blossom 
Murmur  cool  the  breezes  of  early  summer, 
And  from  leaves  that  quiver  above  me  gently 
Slumber  is  shaken ; 

Glades  of  poppies  swoon  in  the  drowsy  languor, 
Dreaming  roses  bend,  and  the  oleanders 
Bask  and  nod  to  drone  of  bees  in  the  silent 
Fervor  of  noontide ; 

Myrtle  coverts  hedging  the  open  vista, 
Dear  to  nightly  frolic  of  Nymph  and  Satyr, 
Yield  a  mossy  bed  for  the  brown  and  weary 
Limbs  of  the  shepherd. 

Echo  ever  wafts  through  the  drooping  frondage. 
Ceaseless  silver  murmur  of  water  falling 
In  the  grotto  cool  of  the  Nymphs,  the  sacred 
Haunt  of  Immortals ; 

Down  the  sides  of  rocks  that  are  gray  and  lichened 
Trickle  tiny  rills,  whose  expectant  tinkle 
Drips  with  gurgle  hushed  in  the  clear  glimmering 
Depths  of  the  basin. 

Fair  on  royal  couches  of  leaves  recumbent, 
Interspersed  with  languor  of  waxen  lilies, 
Lotus  flowers  empurple  the  pool  whose  edge  is 
Cushioned  with  mosses ; 

Here  recline  the  Nymphs  at  the  hour  of  twilight, 
Back  in  shadows  dim  of  the  cave,  their  golden 
Sea-green  eyes  half  lidded,  up  to  their  supple 
Waists  in  the  water. 

Sheltered  once  by  ferns  I  espied  them  binding 
Tresses  long,  the  tint  of  lilac  and  orange  ; 
Just  beyond  the  shimmer  of  light  their  bodies 
Roseate  glistened ; 


Deftly,  then,  they  girdled  their  loins  with  garlands, 
Linked  with  leaves  luxuriant  limb  and  shoulder ; 
On  their  breasts  they  bruised  the  red  blood  of  roses 
Fresh  from  the  garden. 

She  of  orange  hair  was  the  Nymph  Euxanthis, 
And  the  lilac-tressed  were  Iphis  and  lo ; 
How  they  laughed,  relating  at  length  their  ease  in 
Evading  the  Satyr. 


APHRODITE'S  DOVES 

WHEN  the  drifting  gray  of  the  vesper  shadow 
Dimmed  their  upward  path  through  the  midmost  azure, 
And  the  length  of  night  overtook  them  distant 
Far  from  Olympus ; 

Far  away  from  splendor  and  joy  of  Paphos, 
From  the  voice  and  smile  of  their  peerless  Mistress, 
Back  to  whom  their  truant  wings  were  in  rapture 
Speeding  belated ; 

Chilled  at  heart  and  grieving  they  drooped  their  pinions, 
Circled  slowly,  dipping  in  flight  toward  Lesbos, 
Down  through  dusk  that  darkened  on  Mitylene's 
Columns  of  marble ; 

Down  through  glory  wan  of  the  fading  sunset, 
Veering  ever  toward  the  abode  of  Sappho, 
Toward  my  home,  the  fane  of  the  glad  devoted 
Slave  of  the  Goddess  ; 

Soon  they  gained  the  tile  of  my  roof  and  rested, 
Slipped  their  heads  beneath  their  wings  while  I  watched  them 
Sink  to  sleep  and  dreams,  in  the  warm  and  drowsy 
Night  of  midsummer. 


13 


ANACREON'S  SONG 

GOLDEN-THRONED  Musc,  sing  the  song  that  in  olden 
Days  was  sung  of  love  and  delight  in  Teos, 
In  the  goodly  land  of  the  lovely  women : 
Strains  that  in  other 

Years  the  hoary  bard  with  the  youthful  fancy 
Set  to  mirthful  stir  of  flutes,  when  the  dancing 
Nymphs  that  poured  the  wine  for  the  poet's  banquet 
Mixed  it  with  kisses ; 

Sing  the  song  while  I,  in  the  arms  of  Atthis, 
Seal  her  lips  to  mine  with  a  lover's  fervor, 
Breathe  her  breath  and  drink  her  sighs  to  the  honeyed 
Lull  of  the  melics. 


14 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  CYPRUS 

DREAMING  I  spake  with  the  Daughter  of  Cyprus, 
Heard  the  languor  soft  of  her  voice,  the  blended 
Suave  accord  of  tones  interfused  with  laughter 
Low  and  desireful ; 

Dreaming  saw  her  dread  ineffable  beauty. 
Saw  through  texture  fine  of  her  clinging  tunic 
Blush  the  fire  of  flesh,  the  rose  of  her  body, 
Radiant,  blinding ; 

Saw  through  filmy  meshes  the  melting  lovely 
Flow  of  line,  the  exquisite  curves,  whence  piercing 
Rapture  reached  with  tangible  touch  to  thrill  me, 
Almost  to  slay  me ; 

Saw  the  gleaming  foot,  and  the  golden  sandal 
Held  by  straps  of  Lydian  work  thrice  doubled 
Over  the  instep's  arch,  and  up  the  rounded 
Dazzling  ankle ; 

Saw  the  charms  that  shimmered  from  knee  to  shoulder, 
Hint  of  hues,  than  milk  or  the  snowdrift  whiter ; 
Secret  grace,  the  shrine  of  the  soul  of  passion. 
Glows  that  consumed  me ; 

Saw  the  gathered  mass  of  her  xanthic  tresses, 
Mitra-bound,  escape  from  the  clasping  fillet. 
Float  and  shine  as  clouds  in  the  sunset  splendor. 
Mists  in  the  dawn-fire  ; 

Saw  the  face  immortal,  and  daring  greatly, 
Raised  my  eyes  to  hers  of  unfathomed  azure, 
Drank  their  world's  desire,  their  limitless  longing. 
Swooned  and  was  nothing. 


15 


THE  DISTAFF 

COME,  ye  dainty  Graces  and  lovely  Muses, 
Ros}'-armed  and  pure  and  with  fairest  tresses, 
Come  from  groves  on  Helicon's  hill  where  murmur 
Founts  that  are  holy ; 

Come  with  dancing  step  and  with  lips  harmonic, 
Gather  near  and  view  my  ivory  distaff. 
Gift  from  Cos  my  brother  Charaxus  brought  me. 
Sailing  from  Egypt ; 

Sailing  back  to  Lesbos  from  far  Naucratis, 
From  the  seven  mouths  of  the  Nile  and  Egypt 
Up  the  blue  -^gean,  the  island-dotted 
Ocean  of  Hellas ; 

Choicest  wool  alone  will  I  spin  for  fabrics, 
Winding  reel  with  threads  for  the  cloths  as  fleecy, 
Soft  and  fine  as  they  bring  from  far  Phocea, 
Sidon  or  Sardis ; 

While  I  weave  my  thought  shall  engird  the  giver, 
Whether  here,  or  far  on  the  sea,  or  resting 
Couched  in  shady  courts  with  the  lovely  garland 
Girls  of  Naucratis. 


i6 


THE  SLEEP  WIND 

SOFTER  than  mists  o'er  the  pale  green  of  waters, 
O'er  the  charmed  sea,  shod  with  sandals  of  shadow 
Comes  the  warm  sleep  wind  of  Argolis,  floating 
Garlands  of  fragrance  ; 

Comes  the  sweet  wind  by  the  still  hours  attended, 
Touching  tired  lids  on  the  shores  dim  with  distance, 
Ever  its  way  toward  the  headland  of  Lesbos, 
Toward  Mitylene. 

Faintly  one  fair  star  of  evening  enkindles 
On  the  dusk  afar  its  lone  fire  (Etean, 
Shining  serene  till  the  darkness  will  deepen 
Others  to  splendor ; 

Bringing  ineffable  peace,  and  the  gladsome 
Return  with  the  night  of  all  things  that  morning 
Ruthlessly  parted,  the  child  to  its  mother, 
Lover  to  lover. 

From  the  marble  court  of  rose-crowned  companions, 
All  alone  my  feet  again  seek  the  little 
Theatre  pledged  to  the  Muse,  now  deserted, 
Facing  the  surges ; 

Where  the  carved  Pan-heads  that  laugh  down  the  gentle 
Slope  of  broad  steps  to  the  refluent  ripple. 
Flute  from  their  thin  pipes  the  dithyrambs  deathless. 
Songs  all  unuttered. 

Empty  each  seat  where  my  girl  friends  acclaimed  me. 
Poets  with  names  on  the  tiered  stone  engraven. 
Over  whose  verge  blooms  the  apple  tree,  drifting 
Perfume  and  petals ; 

Gone  Telesippa  and  tender  Gyrinno, 
Anactoria,  woman  divine  ;  Atthis, 
Subtlest  of  soul,  fair  Damophyla,  Dica, 
Maids  of  the  Muses. 


17 


Here  an  hour  past  soul-enravished  they  listened 
While  my  rapt  heart  breathed  its  paean  impassioned, 
Chanted  its  wild  prayer  to  thee,  Aphrodite, 
Daughter  of  Cyprus ; 

Now  to  their  homes  are  they  gone  in  the  city, 
Pensive  to  dream  limb-relaxed  while  the  languid 
Slaves  come  and  lift  from  the  tresses  they  loosen. 
Flowers  that  have  faded. 

Thou  alone,  Sappho,  art  sole  with  the  silence, 
Sole  with  night  and  dreams  that  are  darkness,  weaving 
Thoughts  that  are  sighs  from  the  heart  and  their  meaning 
Vague  as  the  shadow  ; 

When  the  great  silence  shall  come  to  thee,  sad  one, 
Men  that  forget  shall  remember  thy  music, 
Murmur  thy  name  that  shall  steal  on  their  passion 
Soft  as  the  sleep  wind. 


i8 


THE  REPROACH 

KYPRis,  hear  my  prayer  to  thee  and  the  Nereids  ! 
Safely  bring  the  ship  of  my  brother  homewards, 
Bring  him  back  unharmed  to  the  heart  that  loves  him, 
Throbbing  remorseful ; 

Fair  Immortal,  banish  from  mind,  I  pray  thee, 
Every  discord's  hint  that  of  yore  estranged  us ; 
Grant  that  never  again  dissension's  hateful 
Wrangle  shall  part  us ; 

May  he  never  in  days  to  come  remember 
Keen  reproach  of  mine  that  had  grieved  him  sorely ; 
Words  that  broke  my  very  heart  when  I  heard  them 
Uttered  by  others ; 

Words  that  wounded  deep  and  recurring  often. 
Bowed  his  head  with  shame  at  the  public  banquet ; 
Where  my  scorn,  amid  festal  joy  and  laughter, 
Sharpened  the  covert 

Jests  that  stung  his  pride  and  assailed  his  folly. 
Slave-espoused  when  he,  a  Lesbian  noble. 
Might  have  won  the  fairest  in  Mitylene, 
Virgins  the  noblest ; 

Open  slurs  that  linked  his  name  with  Doricha, 
Lovely  slave  that  Xanthes  had  sold  in  Egypt; 
She  whose  wondrous  charms  the  wealth  of  Charaxus 
Ransomed  from  bondage. 

Now  that  he  is  gone  and  my  anger  vanished, 
Keen  regret  and  grief  for  the  pain  I  gave  him 
Pierce  my  heart,  and  fear  of  loss  that  is  anguish 
Darkens  the  daylight. 


19 


LONG  AGO 

LONG  ago  beloved,  thy  memory,  Atthis, 
Saddens  still  my  heart  as  the  soft  ^olic 
Twilight  deepens  down  on  the  sea,  and  fitful 
Winds  that  have  wandered 

Over  groves  of  myrtle  at  Amathonte 
Waft  forgotten  passion  on  breaths  of  perfume. 
Long  ago,  how  madly  I  loved  thee,  Atthis  ! 
Faithless,  light-hearted 

Loved  one,  mine  no  more,  who  lovest  another 
More  than  me ;  the  silent  flute  and  the  faded 
Garlands  haunt  the  heart  of  me  thou  forgettest, 
Long  since  thy  lover. 


20 


EPITHALAMIA 
THRENODES 


HYMENAIOS 

ARTISANS,  raise  high  the  roof  beam  ! 
Tall  is  the  bridegroom  as  Ares, 
Taller  by  far  than  the  tallest, 
O  Hymenseus  1 

Ay  !  towering  over  his  fellows. 
As  over  men  of  all  other 
Lands  towers  the  Lesbian  singer, 
O  Hymenseus ! 

Well-favored,  too,  is  the  maiden, 
Eyes  that  are  sweeter  than  honey, 
Fair  both  in  face  and  in  figure, 
O  Hymenseus ! 

For  there  was  never  another 
Virgin  in  loveliness  like  her, 
By  Aphrodite  so  honored, 
O  Hymenaeus ! 

O  happy  bridegroom,  the  wedding 
Comes  to  the  point  of  completion  ; 
Thou  hast  the  maid  of  thy  choosing, 
O  Hymenseus ! 

See  how  a  paleness  suffuses 
Soft  o'er  her  exquisite  features. 
Passion's  benign  premonition, 
O  Hymenseus ! 

Go  to  the  couch  unreluctant. 
Rejoicing  and  sweet  to  the  bridegroom  ; 
He  in  his  turn  is  rejoicing, 
O  Hymenaeus ! 

May  Hesperus  lead  thee,  and  Hera, 
She  whom  to-night  that  ye  honor. 
Silver-throned  Goddess  of  marriage, 
O  Hymenaeus ! 


23 


B 


BRIDAL  SONG 

RIDE,  that  goest  to  the  bridal  chamber 
In  the  dove-drawn  car  of  Aphrodite, 
By  a  band  of  dimpled 
Loves  surrounded ; 


Bride,  of  maidens  all  the  fairest  image 
Mitylene  treasures  of  the  Goddess, 
Rosy-ankled  Graces 
Are  thy  playmates; 

Bride,  O  fair  and  lovely,  thy  companions 
Are  the  gracious  hours  that  onward  passing 
For  thy  gladsome  footsteps 
Scatter  garlands. 

Bride,  that  blushing  like  the  sweetest  apple 
On  the  very  branch's  end,  so  strangely 
Overlooked,  ungathered 
By  the  gleaners ; 

Bride,  that  like  the  apple  that  was  never 
Overlooked  but  out  of  reach  so  plainly. 
Only  one  thy  rarest 
Fruit  may  gather ; 

Bride,  that  into  womanhood  has  ripened 
For  the  harvest  of  the  bridegroom  only, 
He  alone  shall  taste  thy 
Hoarded  sweetness. 


24 


EPITHALAMIUM 

VESPER  is  here  !  behold 
Faint  gleams  that  welcome  shine  ! 
Rise  from  the  feast,  O  youths, 
And  chant  the  fescennine  I 

Before  the  porch  we  sing 

The  hymeneal  song ; 
Vesper  is  here,  O  youths  ! 

The  star  we  waited  long. 

We  lead  the  festal  groups 

Across  the  bridegroom's  porch  ; 

Vesper  is  here,  O  youths  ! 
Wave  high  the  bridal  torch. 

Hail,  noble  bridegroom,  hail ! 

The  virgin  fair  has  come ; 
Unlatch  the  door  and  lead 

Her  timid  footsteps  home. 

Hail,  noble  bridegroom,  hail ! 

Straight  as  a  tender  tree ; 
Fond  as  a  folding  vine 

Thy  bride  will  cling  to  thee. 


25 


PIERIA'S  ROSE 

PALE  death  shall  come,  and  thou  and  thine  shall  be, 
Then  and  thereafter,  to  all  memory 
Forgotten  as  the  wind  that  yesterday 
Blew  the  last  lingering  apple  buds  away  ; 

For  thou  hadst  never  that  undying  rose 
To  grace  the  brow  and  shed  immortal  glows ; 
Pieria's  fadeless  flower  that  few  may  claim 
To  wreathe  and  save  thy  unremembered  name. 

Ay  I  even  on  the  fields  of  Dis  unknown, 
Obscure  among  the  shadows  and  alone, 
Thy  flitting  shade  shall  pass  uncomforted 
Of  any  heed  from  all  the  flitting  dead. 

But  no  one  maid,  I  think,  beneath  the  skies, 

At  any  time  shall  live  and  be  as  wise, 

In  sooth,  as  I  am ;  for  the  Muses  Nine 

Have  made  me  honored  and  their  gifts  are  mine  ; 

And  men,  I  think,  will  never  quite  forget 
My  songs  or  me ;  so  long  as  stars  shall  set 
Or  sun  shall  rise,  or  hearts  feel  love's  desire. 
My  voice  shall  cross  their  dreams,  a  sigh  of  fire. 


26 


LAMENT  FOR  ADONIS 

AH,  for  Adonis ! 
See,  he  is  dying, 
Delicate,  lovely, 
Slender  Adonis. 

Ah,  for  Adonis ! 
Weep,  O  ye  maidens, 
Beating  your  bosoms, 
Rending  your  tunics. 

O  Cytherea, 
Hasten,  for  never 
Loved  thou  another 
As  thy  Adonis. 

See,  on  the  rosy 
Cheek  with  its  dimple, 
Blushing  no  longer, 
Thanatos'  shadow. 

Save  him,  O  Goddess  ! 
Thou,  the  beguiler. 
All-powerful,  holy, 
Stay  the  dread  evil. 

Ah,  for  Adonis ! 
No  more  at  vintage 
Time  will  he  come  with 
Bloom  of  the  meadows. 

Ah,  for  Adonis ! 
See,  he  is  dying. 
Fading  as  flowers 
With  the  lost  summer. 


27 


THE  STRICKEN  FLOWER 

THINK  not  to  ever  look  as  once  of  yore, 
Atthis,  upon  my  love ;  for  thou  no  more 
Wilt  find  intact  upon  its  stem  the  flower 
Thy  guile  left  slain  and  bleeding  in  that  hour. 

So  ruthless  shepherds  crush  beneath  their  feet 
The  hill  flower  blooming  in  the  summer  heat ; 
The  hyacinth  whose  purple  heart  is  found 
Left  bruised  and  dead,  to  darken  on  the  ground. 


28 


DEATH 

DEATH  is  an  evil ;  so  the  Gods  decree, 
So  they  have  judged,  and  such  must  rightly  be 
Our  mortal  view ;  for  they  who  dwell  on  high 
Had  never  lived,  had  it  been  good  to  die. 

And  so  the  poet's  house  should  never  know 
Of  tears  and  lamentations  any  show ; 
Such  things  befit  not  us  who  deathless  sing 
Of  love  and  beauty,  gladness  and  the  spring. 

No  hint  of  grief  should  mar  the  features  of 
Our  dreams  of  endless  beauty,  lasting  love  ; 
For  they  reflect  the  joy  inviolate, 
Eternal  calm  that  fronts  whatever  fate. 

Cleis,  my  darling,  grieve  no  more,  I  pray ! 
Let  wandering  winds  thy  sorrow  bear  away, 
And  all  our  care ;  my  daughter,  let  thy  smile 
Shine  through  thy  tears  and  gladden  me  the  while. 


29 


PERSEPHONE 

I  SAW  a  tender  maiden  plucking  flowers 
Once,  long  ago,  in  the  bright  morning  hours  ; 
And  then  from  heaven  I  saw  a  sudden  cloud 
Fall  swift  and  dark,  and  heard  her  cry  aloud. 

Again  I  looked,  but  from  my  open  door 
My  anxious  eyes  espied  the  maid  no  more ; 
The  cloud  had  vanished,  bearing  her  away 
To  underlands  beyond  the  smiling  day. 


30 


PARTHENEIA 
DIDAKTIKA 


MAIDENHOOD 

Do  I  long  for  maidenhood  ? 
Do  I  long  for  days 
When  upon  the  mountain  slope 

I  would  stand  and  gaze 
Over  the  -^gean's  blue 

Melting  into  mist, 
Ere  with  love  my  virgin  lips 
Cercolas  had  kissed  ? 

Maidenhood,  O  maidenhood, 

Whither  hast  thou  flown  ? 
To  a  land  beyond  the  sea 

Thou  hast  never  known. 
Maidenhood,  O  maidenhood, 

Wilt  return  to  me  ? 
Never  will  my  bloom  again 

Give  its  grace  to  thee. 

Now  the  autumn  skies  are  low. 

Youth  and  summer  sped ; 
Shepherd  hills  are  far  away, 

Cercolas  is  dead. 
Mitylene's  marble  courts 

Echo  with  my  name  ;  — 
Maidenhood,  we  never  dreamed. 

Long  ago  of  fame. 


IZ 


EVER  MAIDEN 

I  SHALL  be  ever  maiden, 
Ever  the  little  child, 
In  my  passionate  quest  for  the  lovely, 
By  earth's  glad  wonder  beguiled. 

I  shall  be  ever  maiden, 

Standing  in  soul  apart. 
For  the  Gods  give  the  secret  of  beauty 

Alone  to  the  virgin  heart. 


34 


CLEIS 

DAUGHTER  of  mine,  so  fair, 
With  a  form  like  a  golden  flower, 
Wherefore  thy  pensive  air 

And  the  dreams  in  the  myrtle  bower  ? 

Cleis,  beloved,  thy  eyes 

That  are  turned  from  my  gaze,  thy  hand 
That  trembles  so,  I  prize 

More  than  all  the  Lydian  land ; 

More  than  the  lovely  hills 

With  the  Lesbian  olive  crowned  ;  — 
Tell  me,  darling,  what  ills 

In  the  gloom  of  thy  thought  are  found  ? 

Daughter  of  mine,  come  near 

And  thy  head  on  my  knees  recline ; 

Whisper  and  never  fear, 

For  the  beat  of  thy  heart  is  mine. 

Sweet  mother,  I  can  turn 

With  content  to  my  loom  no  more ; 
My  bosom  throbs,  I  yearn 

For  a  youth  that  my  eyes  adore ; 

Lykas  of  Eresus, 

Whom  I  knew  when  a  little  child ; 
My  heart  by  Love  is  thus 

With  the  sweetest  of  pain  beguiled. 


35 


ASPIRATION 

I  DO  not  think  with  my  two  arms  to  touch  the  sky, 
I  do  not  dream  to  do  almighty  things ; 
So  small  a  singing  bird  may  never  soar  so  high, 
To  beat  the  sapphire  fire  with  baffled  wings. 

I  do  not  think  with  my  two  arms  to  touch  the  sky, 
I  do  not  dream  by  any  chance  to  share 

With  deathless  Gods  the  bliss  of  Paphos  they  deny 
To  men  behind  the  azure  veil  of  air. 


36 


HERO,  OF  GYARA 

I  TAUGHT  Hero,  of  Gyara,  the  swift  runner ; 
Swifter  far  was  she  than  Atalanta, 
When  through  clinging  fleece  of  her  wind-rippled 
Garments  blushed  the  glimmer  of  her  limbs. 

I  taught  Hero,  of  Gyara,  the  swift  runner ; 

Lovelier  was  she  than  Atalanta, 
When  the  straining  vision  of  the  suitor 

Saw  her  beauty  mock  impending  death. 

I  taught  Hero,  of  Gyara,  the  swift  runner, 
All  the  singing  numbers  of  Terpander, 

Metres  of  Archilochus  and  Alcman, 

And  my  melic  verse  that  glows  supreme. 

I  taught  Hero,  of  Gyara,  the  swift  runner, 
Sapphics  with  their  triple  surge  of  music 

Melting  in  the  final  verse  Adonic, 

Like  the  foam  fall  of  a  spended  wave. 


37 


COURAGE 

FAINT  not  in  thy  strong  heart  I 
Nor  downcast  stand  apart ; 
Beyond  the  reach  of  daring  will  there  lies 
No  beauty's  prize. 

Faint  not  in  thy  strong  heart ! 

Through  temple,  field  and  mart, 
Courage  alone  the  guerdon  from  the  fray 

May  bear  away. 


38 


THE  BOAST  OF  ARES 

ARES  said  he  would  drag 
Hephestus  by  force 
From  Poseidon's  palace 
Deep  down  in  the  sea ; 
Where  he  had  fashioned 
The  cunning  throne 
With  the  secret  chains. 

He  presented  the  throne, 

Forsooth,  as  a  gift 
To  the  queen  of  heaven ; 

But  Hera  soon  found 

For  revenge  on  her 
Who  had  him  cast 

From  the  home  of  Gods. 

For  secure  in  its  clasp 

Of  adamant  gold 
She  was  held  imprisoned, 

The  prey  of  his  guile  ; 

And  Hephestus  knew 
By  him  alone 

Could  the  queen  be  freed. 

But  the  great  God  of  war 

Made  boast  of  his  strength  ; 
He  would  bring  the  forger 

Of  metals  and  tricks 

On  high  to  release 
Hera,  and  end 

Her  enraged  despair. 

Ares  said  he  would  drag 

Hephestus  by  force, 
But  was  made  to  waver 

And  fiee  when  assailed 

With  a  blazing  brand 
By  the  dark  God 

Of  the  underworld. 

39 


GOLD 

GOLD  is  the  son  of  Zeus, 
Immortal,  bright ; 
Nor  moth  nor  worm  may  eat  it, 
Nor  rust  tarnish. 

So  are  the  Muse's  gifts 

The  offspring  fair, 
That  merit  from  high  heaven 

Youth  eternal. 


40 


GNOMICS 


Y  ways  are  quiet,  none  may  find 
My  temper  of  malignant  kind  ; 
For  one  should  check  the  words  that  start 
When  anger  spreads  within  the  heart. 


M 


Who  from  my  hands  what  I  can  spare 
Of  gifts  accept  the  largest  share, 
Those  are  the  very  ones  who  boast 
No  gratitude  and  wrong  me  most. 


Ill 

He  who  in  face  and  form  is  fair 
Must  needs  be  good,  the  Gods  declare ; 
But  he  whose  thought  and  act  are  right 
Will  soon  be  equal  fair  to  sight. 

IV 

Beauty  of  youth  is  but  the  flower 
Of  spring,  whose  pleasure  lasts  an  hour ; 
While  worth  that  knows  no  mortal  doom 
Is  like  the  amaranthine  bloom. 


41 


PRIDE 

PRIDE  not  thyself  upon  a  ring, 
Or  any  trinket  thing 
Of  fleeting  value,  dross  or  gold. 

Wealth,  lacking  worth,  is  no  safe  friend. 

Though  both  to  life  may  lend, 
In  just  proportion,  joy  untold. 


42 


LETO  AND  NIOBE 

LETO  and  Niobe  were  friends  full  dear, 
The  Goddess'  heart  and  woman's  heart  were  one 
In  that  maternal  love  that  men  revere, 
Love  that  endures  when  other  loves  are  done. 

But  Niobe  with  all  a  mother's  pride, 
Artless  and  foolish,  would  not  be  denied ; 
And  boasted  that  her  children  were  more  fair 
Than  Leto's  lovely  children  of  the  air. 

The  proud  Olympians  vowed  revenge  for  this, 
Irate  Apollo,  angered  Artemis ; 
They  slew  her  children,  heedless  of  her  moan, 
And  with  the  last  her  heart  was  turned  to  stone. 


43 


THE  DYE 

FROM  Scythian  wood  they  brew 
The  dye  whose  yellow  hue 
Turns  gold  the  lovely  hair 
Of  Lesbians  fair. 

So,  Zanthis,  slave  of  mine, 
Shall  dip  the  fleeces  fine, 
And  dye  the  robes  I  made 
A  saffron  shade. 


44 


EROTIKA 
DITHYRAMBS 


HYMN  TO  PAPHIA 

IMMORTAL  Paphia  !  have  I  earned  thy  hate, 
That  I  should  burn  in  passion's  fatal  flame  ? 
Is  not  my  constant  service  thine  to  claim, 
My  prayer's  appeal  with  praise  of  thee  elate  ? 

Has  not  my  life  been  one  sole  hymn  of  thee, 

One  quivering  chord  on  Love's  harp  overwrought  ? 
My  soul  has  trembled  up  to  thee  in  thought, 

Probed  to  its  depth  thy  every  ecstasy. 

Are  not  my  countless  heart-beats  each  a  vow. 
Of  tribute  throbs  a  garland  ?  For  thy  gain 
The  Fates  have  drenched  my  soul  in  passion's  rain, 

Pieria's  roses  twined  about  my  brow. 

The  virgin  harvest  of  my  heart  was  thine, 
I  shuddered  in  the  joy  that  half  consumed ; 
The  votive  garlands  on  thy  altar  bloomed. 

My  days  were  songs  to  nights  of  bliss  divine. 

Why  try  me,  then,  with  torture,  gracious  Queen  ? 
Why  verge  me  on  this  rapture's  dread  abyss, 
Hold  breast  from  breast  and  stay  the  yearning  kiss  ? 

Ah,  couldst  thou  fashion  pain  that  stung  less  keen  ? 

The  throe  of  Tantalus  is  mine  to  bear, 
Beauty  that  Thetis-like  eludes  my  clasp ; 
Glances  that  lure,  that  make  each  breath  a  gasp, 

And  then  disdainful  gloat  at  my  despair. 

Scornful  she  dwells  beyond  my  ardor's  clutch, 
Bathed  in  an  aureole  of  carnal  fire ;  — 

0  bind  her  equal  slave  to  fond  desire, 

Let  passion's  tingling  warmth  her  being  touch  ! 

Come  to  me,  Goddess,  come  as  once  of  old. 
Hearing  my  voice  implore  thee  from  afar, 

1  drew  to  earth  thy  dazzling  avatar ; 
Accord  the  smile  of  piercing  bliss  untold. 


47 


Ask  me  the  dear  suave  question  phrased  of  yore ; 

'*  Sappho,  who  grieveth  now  thy  mad  fond  heart  ? 

Wouldst  win  her  beauty,  she  who  frowns  apart  ? 
Wild  as  thou  lovest,  she  soon  shall  love  thee  more." 

O  fair  Olympian,  answer  thus,  I  pray ! 

Release  me  from  this  torment,  yield  my  arms 
The  transport  thirsted  of  her  folded  charms, 

In  glow  that  welds  her  heart  to  mine  for  aye. 


48 


EROS 

FROM  the  gnarled  branches  of  the  apple  trees 
The  heavy  petals,  lifted  by  the  breeze, 
Fluttered  on  puffs  of  odor  fine  and  fell 
In  the  clear  water  of  the  garden  well ; 

And  some  a  bolder  zephyr  blew  in  sport 
Across  the  marble  reaches  of  my  court, 
And  some  by  sudden  gusts  were  wafted  wide 
Toward  sea  and  city,  down  the  mountain  side. 

Lesbos  seemed  Paphos,  isled  in  rosy  glow, 
Green  olive  hills,  the  violet  vale  below ; 
The  air  was  azure  fire  and  o'er  the  blue 
Still  sea  the  doves  of  Aphrodite  flew. 

My  dreaming  eyes  saw  Eros  from  afar 
Coming  from  heaven  in  his  mother's  car. 
In  purple  tunic  clad ;  and  at  my  heart 
The  God  was  aiming  his  relentless  dart. 

He  whom  fair  Aphrodite  called  her  son. 

She,  the  adored,  she,  the  imperial  One ; 

He  passed  as  winds  that  shake  the  soul,  as  pains 

Sweet  to  the  heart,  as  fire  that  warms  the  veins ; 

He  passed  and  left  my  limbs  dissolved  in  dew. 
Relaxed  and  faint,  with  passion  quivered  through ; 
Exhausted  with  spent  thrills  of  dread  delight, 
A  sudden  darkness  rushing  on  my  sight. 


49 


PASSION 

Now  Love  shakes  my  soul,  a  mighty- 
Wind  from  the  high  mountain  falling 
Full  on  the  oaks  of  the  forest ; 

Now,  limb-relaxing,  it  masters 

My  life  and  implacable  thrills  me, 
Rending  with  anguish  and  rapture. 

Now  my  heart,  paining  my  bosom, 
Pants  with  desire  as  a  maenad 
Mad  for  the  orgiac  revel. 

Now  under  my  skin  run  subtle 
Arrows  of  flame,  and  my  body 
Quivers  with  surge  of  emotion. 

Now  long  importunate  yearnings 
Vanquish  with  surfeit  my  reason  ; 
Fainting  my  senses  forsake  me. 


SO 


o 


APHRODITE'S  PRAISE 

Sappho,  why  art  thou  ever 
Singing  with  praises  the  blessed 
Queen  of  the  heaven  ? 


Why  does  the  heart  in  thy  bosom 
Ever  revert  in  its  yearning 

Throb  to  the  Goddess  ? 

Why  are  thy  senses  unsated 
Ever  in  quest  of  elusive 

Love  that  is  deathless  ? 

Ah,  gracious  Daughter  of  Cyprus, 
Never  can  I  as  a  mortal 

Tire  of  thy  service. 

Thou  art  the  breath  of  my  body. 
The  blood  in  my  veins,  and  the  glowing 
Pulse  of  my  bosom. 

Omnipotent,  burning,  resistless. 
Thou  art  the  passion  that  shaking 
Masters  me  ever. 

Thou  art  the  crisis  of  rapture 
Relaxing  my  limbs,  and  the  melting 
Ebb  of  emotion ; 

Bringing  the  tears  to  my  lashes, 
Sighs  to  my  lips,  in  the  swooning 
Excess  of  passion. 

O  golden-crowned  Aphrodite, 
Grant  I  shall  ever  be  grateful, 
Sure  of  thy  favor ; 

Worthy  the  lot  of  thy  priestess. 
Supreme  in  the  song  that  forever 
Rings  with  thy  praises. 


51 


THE  FIRST  KISS 

AND  down  I  set  the  cushion 
Upon  the  couch  that  she, 
Relaxed  supine  upon  it, 
Might  give  her  lips  to  me. 

As  some  enamored  priestess 
At  Aphrodite's  shrine, 
Entranced  I  bent  above  her 
With  sense  of  the  divine. 

She  had,  by  nature  nubile, 
In  years  a  child,  no  hint 
Of  any  secret  knowledge 
Of  passion's  least  intent. 

Her  mouth  for  immolation 
Was  ripe,  and  mine  the  art ; 
And  one  long  kiss  of  passion 
Deflowered  her  virgin  heart. 


52 


ODE  TO  ATTHIS 

I  LOVED  you,  Atthis,  once,  long  years  ago ! 
My  blood  was  flame  that  thrilled  to  passion's  throe ; 
Now  long  neglect  has  quenched  the  olden  fire. 
And  blight  of  drifting  years  effaced  desire. 

I  loved  you,  Atthis  —  joy  of  long  ago  — 
Love  shook  my  soul  as  winds  on  forests  blow ; 
This  lawless  heart  that  dared  exhaust  delight, 
Unsated  strove  and  maddened  through  the  night. 

I  loved  you,  Atthis,  once,  long  years  ago ! 
With  pain  whose  surge  I  felt  to  anguish  grow ; 
Suffered  the  storms  that  waste  the  heart  and  leave 
A  desert  shore  where  seas  but  break  to  grieve. 

I  loved  you,  Atthis  —  spring  of  long  ago  — 
Watched  you  depart,  to  Andromeda  go ; 
Then  I,  as  keen  despair  its  shadow  cast, 
O'er  my  deserted  threshold,  sobbing,  passed. 

I  loved  you,  Atthis,  once,  long  years  ago ! 
The  thought  of  me  is  hateful  now,  I  know ; 
And  all  the  lavish  tenderness  of  old 
Has  gone  from  me  and  left  my  bosom  cold. 

I  loved  you,  Atthis  —  dream  of  long  ago  — 

How  the  fond  words,  impassioned  music  low. 

Sustain  the  sigh  of  love's  divine  regret 

No  length  of  time  may  bid  the  heart  forget. 


53 


COMPARISON 

LESS  soft  a  Tyrian  robe 
Of  texture  fine, 
Less  delicate  a  rose 
Than  flesh  of  thine. 

Whiter  thy  breast  than  snow 

That  virgin  Hes, 
And  deeper  than  the  blue 

Of  seas  thy  eyes. 

More  golden  than  the  fruit 

Of  orange  trees, 
Thy  locks  that  floating  lure 

The  satyr  breeze. 

Less  fine  of  silver  string 

An  Orphic  lyre, 
Less  sweet  than  thy  low  laugh 

That  wakes  desire. 


54 


THE  SACRIFICE 

UPON  a  cushion  soft 
My  limbs  I  place, 
My  every  garment  doffed 

For  deeper  grace ; 
From  burning  doves  embalmed 

In  baccharis, 
The  scented  fumes  have  calmed 
Me  like  a  kiss. 

Beyond  the  phallic  shrine 

That  tripods  light, 
I  pledge  with  holy  wine 

An  image  white ; 
Anadyomene, 

Than  foam  more  fair, 
When  from  the  ravished  sea 

She  rose  to  air. 

Daughter  of  God,  accept 

These  gifts  of  mine  ! 
Last  night  my  body  slept 

In  arms  divine. 
These  sated  lips  and  eyes 

That  erstwhile  sued, 
Accord  this  sacrifice 

In  gratitude. 


55 


LEDA 

ONCE  on  a  time 
They  say  that  Leda  found 
Beneath  the  thyme 

An  egg  upon  the  ground ; 

And  yet  the  swan 
She  fondled  long  ago 

Was  whiter  than 
Its  shell  of  peeping  snow. 


S6 


AMCEBEUM:  ALC^US  AND  SAPPHO 

ALCiEUS 

ViOLET-weaving  Sappho,  pure  and  lovely, 
Softly-smiling  Sappho,  I  would  utter 
Something  that  my  secret  hope  has  cherished, 
Did  no  painful  sense  of  shame  deter  me. 

SAPPHO 

Had  the  impulse  of  thy  heart  been  honest, 
It  had  urged  no  evil  supplication  ; 
Shame  had  not  abashed  thy  eyes  before  me, 
And  thy  words  had  done  thee  no  dishonor. 

ALC^US 

Softly-smiling  Sappho,  longing  bids  me 
Tell  thee  all  that  in  my  heart  lies  hidden. 

SAPPHO 

Have  no  fear,  Alcaeus,  to  offend  me ! 
Thy  emotion  stirs  my  heart  to  pity. 

ALCiEUS 

I  desire  thee,  violet-weaving  Sappho ! 
Love  thee  madly,  softly-smiling  Sappho  1 

SAPPHO 

Hush,  Alcaeus  !  thou  must  choose  a  younger 
Comrade  for  thy  couch,  for  I  would  never 
Join  thy  years  to  mine  —  the  Gods  forbid  it  — 
Youth  and  ardent  fire  to  age  and  ashes. 


57 


THE  LOVE  OF  SELENE 

ACROSS  the  still  sea's  moonlit  wave 
Selene  came 
Softly  to  seek  the  Latmian  cave, 
Her  breast  aflame 

With  secret  passion's  ruthless  throe, 

Her  scruples  done, 
And  burning  with  desire  to  know 

Endymion. 


58 


THE  CRETAN  DANCE 

As  the  moon  in  all  her  splendor 
Slowly  rose  above  the  forest, 
Silent  stood  the  Cretan  women 
Round  the  altar. 

Girdled  close  their  clinging  tunics, 
Made  of  some  transparent  fabric, 
Traced  the  every  curve  and  lissome 
Of  their  bodies. 

With  revering  eyes  uplifted 
To  the  round  and  rising  planet. 
Soon  its  drifting  beams  of  silver 
Lit  their  faces. 

Soft  and  clear  its  sphere  effulgent. 
Full  defined  above  the  treetops. 
Steeped  in  pale  unearthly  glamor 
All  the  landscape. 

When  the  argent  glimmer  rested 
On  the  altar  piled  with  garlands. 
And  its  glow  unveiled  the  marble 
Aphrodite ; 

Linking  hands,  the  Cretan  women 
Moving  gracefully  with  metric 
Steps  began  to  dance  a  measure 
To  the  Goddess. 

All  so  light  their  feet  unsandalled 
Pressed  the  velvet  grass  in  treading, 
That  they  scarcely  bruised  its  tender 
Blooming  verdure. 

Slowly  turning  in  a  circle 
To  the  east,  their  voices  chanted 
In  a  plaintive  note  the  sacred 
Ithyphallics ; 


59 


Then  they  paused,  their  steps  retracing 
Toward  the  west,  and  answered  strophe 
By  antistrophe  with  choric 
Tones  accordant ; 

With  the  aftersong  epodic, 
Standing  all  before  the  altar, 
Lo !  the  hymn  in  praise  of  Paphos 
Was  completed. 


60 


c 


TO  ALGOUS 

OUNTLESS  are  the  cups  thou  drainest 
In  thy  hymns  to  Dionysos, 
O  Alcaeus  I 


War  and  wine  alone  thou  singest ;  — 
Wherefore  not  of  Aphrodite, 

O  Alcaeus ! 

Spacious  halls  are  thine  where  many 
Trophies  hang  in  Ares'  honor, 
O  Alcaeus ! 

Brazen  shields  and  shining  helmets, 
Plates  of  brass,  Chalcidian  broad-swords, 
O  Alcaeus ! 

When  with  winter  roars  the  Thracian 
North  wind  through  the  leafless  forest, 
O  Alcaeus ! 

Thou  dost  heap  the  fire  and  banish 
Care  with  many  a  tawny  goblet, 
O  Alcaeus  1 


6i 


HYPORCHEME 

THUS  contend  the  maidens 
In  the  cretic  dance, 
Rosy  arms  that  glisten, 
Eyes  that  glance ; 

Cheeks  as  fair  as  blossoms, 
Parted  lips  that  glow, 

With  their  honeyed  voices 
Chanting  low ; 

With  their  plastic  bodies 
Swaying  to  the  flute, 

Moving  with  the  music 
Never  mute ; 

Graceful  the  orchestric 
Figures  they  unfold, 

While  the  vesper  heaven 
Turns  to  gold. 


62 


LARICHUS 

WHILE  charming  maids  plait  garlands  for  thy  brows, 
Larichus,  bring  the  pledge  for  this  carouse 
Like  lovely  Ganymede,  brother  mine, 
And  cool  from  thy  patera  pour  the  wine. 

Thy  slender  limbs  have  all  a  Satyr's  grace, 

Hylas,  the  Wood-God,  dimples  in  thy  face ; 

These  maids  of  mine,  beloved  and  loving  me. 

My  dreams  have  made  thy  Nymphs  to  sport  with  thee. 

I  heard  fair  Mitylene's  plaudits  cease 
O'er  Lykas,  Menon  and  Dinnomenes  ; 
And  hail  thy  beauty  worthy  of  the  prize. 
Cupbearer  to  the  council  of  the  wise. 

No  noble  youth  the  prytaneum  holds, 
Whose  graceful  form  the  purple  tunic  folds 
Can  match  with  thee,  when  on  affairs  of  state 
All  Lesbos  gathers  with  the  wise  and  great. 


63 


SPRING 

COME,  shell  divine,  be  vocal  now  for  me. 
As  when  the  Hebrus  river  and  the  sea 
To  Lesbos  bore,  on  waves  harmonious, 
The  head  and  golden  lyre  of  Orpheus. 

Calliope,  queen  of  the  tuneful  throng, 
Descend  and  be  the  Muse  of  melic  song ; 
For  through  my  frame  life's  tides  renev/ing  bring 
The  glad  vein-warming  vigor  of  the  spring. 

The  skies  that  dome  the  earth  with  far  blue  fire 
Make  the  wide  land  one  temple  of  desire ;  — 
Just  now  across  my  cheek  I  felt  a  God, 
In  the  enraptured  breeze,  pass  zephyr-shod. 

Was  that  Pan's  flute,  O  Atthis,  that  we  heard, 
Or  the  soft  love-note  of  a  woodland  bird  ? 
That  flame  a  scarlet  wing  that  skimmed  the  stream, 
Or  the  red  flash  of  our  impassioned  dream  ? 

Ah,  soon  again  we  two  shall  gather  fair 

Garlands  of  dill  and  rose  to  deck  our  bare 

White  arms  that  cling,  white  breast  that  burns  to  breast, 

When  the  long  night  of  love  shall  banish  rest. 


64 


GIRL  FRIENDS 


PRELUDE 

DEFTLY  on  my  little 
Seven-stringed  barbitos, 
Now  to  please  my  girl  friends 
Songs  I  set  to  music. 

Maidens  fair,  companions 
Of  the  Muses,  never 
Toward  you  shall  my  feelings 
Undergo  a  change. 

Chanted  in  a  plaintive 
Old  Ionic  measure. 
All  the  songs  I  give  you 
Are  the  songs  of  love. 


67 


ANDROMEDA 

WHAT  bucolic  maiden 
Now  thy  heart  bewitches, 
O  my  Andromeda 
Of  the  strange  amours  ? 

Round  her  awkward  ankles 
She  has  not  the  faintest 
Sense  of  art  to  draw  her 
Long  ungraceful  tunic. 

Yet  she  surely  makes  thee, 
O  my  Andromeda, 
For  thy  sweet  unlawful 
Love  a  fair  requital. 

Joy  and  praise  attend  thee, 
In  thy  keen  perceptive 
Taste  for  beauty,  daughter 
Of  Polyanax ! 


68 


EUNEICA 

Aphrodite's  handmaid, 
Bright  as  gold  thou  earnest, 
Tender  woven  garlands 
Round  thy  tender  neck ; 

Sweet  as  soft  Persuasion, 
Lissome  as  the  Graces, 
Shy  Euneica,  lovely 
Girl  from  Salamis. 

Slender  thou  as  Syrinx, 
As  the  waving  reed-nymph, 
Once  by  Pan,  the  god  of 
Summer  winds,  deflowered. 

On  thy  lips  whose  quiver 
Seems  to  plead  for  pity, 
Mine  shall  rest  and  linger 
Like  the  mouth  of  Pan 

On  the  mouth  of  Syrinx, 
When  his  breath  that  filled  her 
Blew  through  all  her  body 
Music  of  his  love. 


69 


GORGO 

GORGO,  I  am  weary 
Of  thy  love's  insistence, 
Thou  to  me  appearest 
An  ill-favored  child. 

Though  I  am  than  Gello 
Fonder  still  of  virgins, 
Toward  thee  I  have  never 
Felt  the  least  desire. 

Yesternight  I  knew  not 
What  to  do,  for  pity 
Moved  my  bosom  deeply, 
Seeing  thee  implore. 

Harassed  by  alternate 
Yielding  and  refusal, 
I  was  half  persuaded 
Then  to  grant  thy  prayer. 

At  my  door  thy  presence 
Lingers  like  a  shadow ; 
Vain  wouldst  thou  reproach  me 
With  appealing  eyes. 

Dost  thou  think  by  constant 
Proofs  of  lasting  passion, 
Slowly  my  obdurate 
Will  to  wear  away  ? 

Gorgo,  I  am  weary 
Of  thy  love's  insistence. 
And  my  strength  exhausted 
Grants  thy  wish  at  last. 


70 


MNASIDICA 

SET,  O  Dica,  garlands  on  thy  lovely- 
Glinting  mass  of  fine  and  golden  tresses, 
Sprays  of  dill  with  fingers  soft  entwining 
While  I  stand  apart  to  better  judge. 

Those  who  have  fair  wreaths  about  the  forehead, 
Breathing  brentheian  odor  to  the  senses, 
Ever  first  find  favor  with  the  Graces 
Who  from  wreathless  suppliants  turn  away. 

Dica,  Mnasidica,  thou  art  shapely 
With  the  flowing  curves  of  Aphrodite ; 
Eyes  the  color  of  her  azure  ocean 
Washing  wide  on  Cyprus'  languid  shore. 

In  thy  every  movement  grace  unconscious 
Sways  the  rhythmic  poem  of  thy  body. 
Charming  with  elusive  undulation 
Like  a  splendid  lily  in  the  wind. 

As  I  stand  apart  to  judge  the  better 
Fair  effects  that  roses  add  to  beauty, 
All  thy  rays  of  loveliness  concentered 
Sun  me  till  I  swoon  with  swift  desire. 


71 


TELESIPPA 

SLEEP  thou  in  the  bosom 
Of  thy  tender  girl  friend, 
Telesippa,  gentle 
Maiden  from  Miletus, 

Like  twin  petals  shyly 
Closing  to  the  darkness, 
Dewy  on  your  drooping 
Lids  shall  fall  her  kisses. 

While  her  arms  enfold  you, 
On  your  drowsy  senses 
Shall  her  soft  caresses 
Seal  delicious  languor. 

Warm  from  her  desireful 
Heart  the  flush  of  passion 
On  your  cheek  unconscious. 
With  her  sighs  shall  deepen. 

All  the  long  sweet  night-time, 
Sleepless  while  you  slumber. 
She  shall  lie  and  quiver 
With  her  love's  mad  longing. 


72 


GYRINNO 

Now  the  silver  crescent 
Of  the  moon  has  vanished, 
With  the  golden  Pleiads 
Drifting  down  the  west. 

It  is  after  midnight 
And  the  time  is  passing, 
Hours  we  pledged  to  passion 
And  I  sleep  alone. 

Anger  ill  becomes  thee, 
Tender-souled  Gyrinno, 
Shapelier  is  Dica 
But  less  loved  by  me. 

Art  thou  still  relentless, 
Wilful  one,  annulling 
All  thy  protestations 
In  the  fervid  past  ? 

Can  it,  O  Charites, 
Be  thou  hast  forgotten  ? 
Dost  thou  love  another, 
Even  now,  perchance  ? 

Ah,  my  tears  are  falling. 
Yet  in  my  despairing 
Mood  I  lie  and  listen 
For  thy  furtive  step  ; 

For  the  lightest  rustle 
Of  thy  flowing  garment. 
For  thy  sweet  and  panting 
Whisper  at  the  door. 

Now  the  moon  has  vanished 
With  the  golden  Pleiads ; 
It  is  after  midnight 
And  I  sleep  alone. 

73 


MEGARA 

THOU  burnest  us,  Megara, 
With  thy  passions  wild  ; 
Bringing  from  Panormus 
Such  unbridled  fires. 

Thou  burnest  us,  a  supple 
Flow  of  tortured  flame, 
Raging,  biting,  searing, 
Lawless  of  the  will. 

Thou  burnest  us,  Megara, 
Love  must  know  reserve, 
Curbing  power  to  keep  it 
Keener  for  restraint. 


74 


H 


ERINNA 

AUGHTiER  than  thou,  O  fair  Erinna, 
I  have  never  met  with  any  maiden. 


Such  a  careless  scorn  as  thine  for  passion 
Proves  a  dire  affront  to  Aphrodite, 

When  with  soft  desire  she  wounds  thy  bosom, 
Thou  shalt  know  love's  pain  and  doubly  suffer. 

Keep  the  gifts  I  gave  thee,  long  rejected ; 
Fabrics  for  thy  lap  from  far  Phocea, 

Babylonian  unguents,  scented  sandals, 
And  the  costly  mitra  for  thy  tresses ; 

Tripods  worked  in  brass  to  flank  the  altar 
With  the  ivory  figure  of  the  Goddess ; 

Where  the  sacrificial  fumes  from  sacred 
Flames  shall  rise  to  gladden  and  appease  her, 

In  the  hour  when  at  her  call  thy  fervid 

Breast  and  mouth  to  mine  shall  be  relinquished. 


75 


GONGYLA 

IT  was  when  the  sunset 
Burned  with  saffron  fire, 
And  Apollo's  coursers 
Turned  below  the  hills, 

That  on  Mitylene's 
Marble  bridge  we  met, 
Gongyla,  thou  golden 
Maid  of  Colophon. 

Like  the  breath  of  morning 
Or  a  breeze  from  sea, 
Fresh  thy  beauty  smote  me. 
Virile  of  the  north. 

Startled  by  thy  vision, 
Transports  half  divine 
Flooded  veins  and  bosom, 
Shook  me  with  desire. 

Soon  the  kinder  sunglow 
Of  u^olic  lands 
Melted  all  the  futile 
Snows  about  thy  heart. 


76 


DAMOPHYLA 

COLD  of  heart  and  strangely 
Uninclined  to  passion, 
Wisdom's  vigil  leaves  thee, 
Proud  Damophyla. 

Sapphics  thou  hast  written, 
Verses  in  my  metre. 
With  a  skill  surpassing 
In  the  melic  art. 

Love's  superb  enchantment 
Thou  art  fain  to  banish. 
Like  the  virgin  Huntress 
Long  by  thee  adored. 

Molded  by  thy  tunic. 
Every  arching  contour 
Of  her  chaste  and  noble 
Form  I  dream  to  see ; 

Even  view  her  stepping 
From  the  leafy  covert 
Down  the  dawn-white  valley. 
Stately  as  a  stag. 

Long  I  sued  but  found  thee 
Deaf  to  all  entreaty. 
Till  one  summer  twilight 
Listless  in  the  heat ; 

Soothed  by  slumber's  languor, 
And  my  low  monodic 
Voice  that  hymned  a  paean 
In  the  praise  of  love ; 

Loth  to  yield  yet  vanquished. 
As  I  knelt  beside  thee. 
All  thy  long  resistance 
To  my  kiss  succumbed. 

77 


ANAGORA 

ANAGORA,  fairest 
Spoil  of  fateful  battle, 
Babylonian  temples 
Knew  thy  luring  song. 

Wrested  from  barbaric 
Captors  for  thy  beauty, 
Thou  wert  made  a  priestess 
At  Mylitta's  shrine. 

Once  these  flexile  fingers 
Clasped  in  mine  so  closely, 
Neath  the  temple's  arches 
Thrummed  the  tabor  soft. 

Thou  hast  taught  me  secrets 
Of  the  cryptic  chambers. 
How  the  zonahs  worship 
In  the  burning  East; 

Raptures  that  my  wildest 
Dreaming  never  pictured, 
Arts  of  love  that  charmed  me, 
Subtle,  new  and  strange. 

Hearken  to  my  earnest 
Prayer,  O  Aphrodite ! 
May  the  night  be  doubled 
Now  for  our  delight. 


78 


PHAON 


PHILOMEL 

PHILOMEL  in  my  garden, 
Messenger  sweet  of  springtide, 
From  the  bough  of  the  olive  tree  utter 
Tidings  ecstatic. 

Linger  long  on  thy  olden 
Note  as  in  days  remembered ; 

Ere  the  Boatman  that  knew  Aphrodite 
Ravished  my  vision. 

Fatal  glamor  of  beauty. 
Beauty  of  Gods  made  mortal ; 

Ah,  before  its  delight  I  am  ever 
Fearful  of  heaven. 

Spring  in  breeze  and  the  blossom, 
Grasses  and  leaves  and  odors, 

On  my  heart  with  the  breath  of  a  vanished 
April  is  shaken ; 

Shaken  with  thrill  and  regret  of 
Lost  caresses  and  kisses ; 

Anactoria's  memory,  Atthis 
Never  forgotten. 

Philomel  in  my  garden, 
Messenger  sweet  of  springtide. 

From  the  bough  of  the  olive  tree  utter 
Tidings  ecstatic. 


8i 


GOLDEN  PULSE 

GOLDEN  pulse  grew  on  the  shore, 
Ferns  along  the  hill, 
And  the  red  cliff  roses  bore 
Bees  to  drink  their  fill ; 

Bees  that  from  the  meadows  bring 

Wine  of  melilot, 
Honey-sups  on  golden  wing 

To  the  garden  grot. 

But  to  me,  neglected  flower, 

Phaon  will  not  see, 
Passion  brings  no  crowning  hour, 

Honey  nor  the  bee. 


82 


THE  SWALLOW 

DAUGHTER  of  Pandion,  lovely 
Swallow  that  veers  at  my  window, 
Swift  on  the  flood  of  the  sunshine 
Darting  thy  shadow ; 

What  is  thy  innocent  purpose, 

Why  dost  thou  hover  and  haunt  me  ? 

Is  it  a  kinship  of  sorrow 

Brings  thee  an  ear  me  ? 

Must  thou  forever  be  tongueless, 
Flying  in  fear  of  Tereus  ? 
Must  he  for  Itys  pursue  thee, 
Changed  to  a  lapwing? 

Tireless  of  pinion  and  never 
Resting  on  bush  or  the  branches. 
Close  to  the  earth,  up  the  azure, 
Over  the  treetops ; 

After  thy  wing  in  its  madness 
Follows  my  glance,  as  a  flitting 
Child  on  the  track  of  its  mother 
Hastens  in  silence. 

Daughter  of  Pandion,  lovely 
Swallow  that  veers  at  my  window, 
Hast  thou  a  message  from  Cyprus 
Telling  of  Phaon  ? 


83 


TIDINGS 

SHE  wrapped  herself  in  linen  woven  close, 
Stuffs  delicate  and  texture-fine  as  those 
The  dark  Nile  traders  for  our  bartering 
From  Egypt,  Crete  and  far  Phocea  bring. 

Love  lent  her  feet  the  wings  of  winds  to  reach 
(Whose  steps  stir  not  the  shingle  of  the  beach) 
My  marble  court  and,  breathless,  bid  me  know 
My  lover's  sails  across  the  harbor  blow. 

He  seemed  to  her,  as  to  himself  he  seems, 

Like  some  bright  God  long  treasured  in  her  dreams  ; 

She  saw  him  standing  at  his  galley's  prow  — 

My  Phaon,  mine,  in  Mitylene  now ! 


84 


HESPERUS 

HESPERUS  shines 
Low  on  the  eastern  wave, 
Off  toward  the  Asian  shore ; 

Over  faint  lines 

Whose  grays  and  purples  pave 
Where  seas  night-calmed  adore. 

Fair  vesper  fire, 

Fairest  of  stars,  the  light 
Benign  of  secret  bliss  ; 

Star  of  desire, 

Bringing  to  me  with  night 
Dreams  and  my  Phaon's  kiss. 


85 


DAWN 

JUST  now  the  golden-sandalled  Dawn 
Peered  through  the  lattice  of  my  room ; 
Why  must  thou  fare  so  soon,  my  Phaon  ? 

Last  night  I  met  thee  at  the  shore, 
A  thousand  hues  were  in  the  sky ; 

The  breeze  from  Cyprus  blew,  my  Phaon  1 

I  drew,  to  lave  thy  heated  brow. 
My  kerchief  dripping  from  the  sea ; 

Why  hadst  thou  sailed  so  far,  my  Phaon  ? 

Far  up  the  narrow  mountain  paths 
We  heard  the  shepherds  fluting  home  ; 

Like  some  white  God  thou  seemed,  my  Phaon ! 

And  through  the  olive  trees  we  saw 
The  twinkle  of  my  vesper  lamp ; 

Wilt  kiss  me  now  as  then,  my  Phaon  ? 

Nay,  loosen  not  with  gentle  force 
The  clasp  of  my  restraining  arms ; 

I  will  not  let  thee  go,  my  Phaon  ! 

See,  deftly  in  my  trailing  robe 

I  spring  and  draw  the  lattice  close ; 

Is  it  not  night  again,  my  Phaon  ? 


86 


THE  FAREWELL 

BELOVED,  Stand  face  to  face, 
And,  lifting  lids,  disclose  to  me  the  grace, 
The  Paphic  fire  that  lingers  yet  and  lies 
Reflected  in  thy  eyes. 

Phaon,  my  sole  beloved, 

Stand  not  to  my  mad  passion  all  unmoved ; 
O  let,  ere  thou  to  far  Panormus  sail. 

One  hour  of  love  prevail. 

Dear  ingrate,  come  and  let 

Thy  breath  like  odor  from  a  cassolet, 

Thy  smile,  the  clinging  touch  of  lips  and  heart 
Anoint  me,  ere  we  part. 

Phaon,  I  yearn  and  seek 

But  thee  alone ;  and  what  I  feel  must  speak 
In  all  these  fond  and  wilful  ways  of  mine, 

O  mortal,  made  divine  ! 

My  girl  friends  now  no  more 

Hang  their  sweet  gifts  of  garlands  at  my  door ; 
Dear  maids,  with  all  your  vanished  empery 

Ye  now  are  naught  to  me. 

Phaon,  thy  galley  rides 

Within  the  harbor's  mouth  and  waits  the  tides 
And  favoring  winds,  far  to  the  west  to  fly 

And  leave  me  here  to  die. 

The  brawny  rowers  lean 

To  bend  long-stroking  oars ;  and  changing  scene 
And  fairer  loves  than  mine  shall  soon  efface 

This  last  divine  embrace. 

Phaon,  the  lifting  breeze  1 

See,  at  thy  feet  I  kneel  and  clasp  thy  knees ! 
Go  not,  go  not  1     O  hear  my  sobbing  prayer, 

And  yield  to  my  despair  I 

87 


DARK-EYED  SLEEP 

DARK-EYED  Sleep,  child  of  Night, 
Come  in  thy  shadow  garment  to  my  couch, 
And  with  thy  soothing  touch, 
Cool  as  the  vesper  breeze, 
Grant  that  I  may  forget ; 

Bestow  condign  release, 

A  taste  of  rest  that  comes  with  endless  sleep ; 
Lure  off  the  haunting  dreams. 
The  dire  Eumenides 

That  torture  my  repose. 

For  I  would  live  a  space 

Though  Phaon  has  forsaken  me,  nor  yet 
Be  found  on  shadow  fields 
Among  the  lilies  tall 

Of  pale  Persephone. 


THE  CLIFF  OF  LEUCAS 

AFAR-SEEN  cliflf 
Stands  in  the  western  sea 
Toward  Cephallenian  lands. 

Apollo's  temple  crowns 
Its  whitened  crest, 
And  at  its  base 
The  waves  eternal  beat. 

Its  leap  has  power 
To  cure  the  pangs 
Of  unrequited  love. 

Thither  pale  lovers  go 
With  anguished  hearts 
To  dare  the  deep  and  quench 
Love's  slow  consuming  flame. 

Urged  to  the  edge 
By  maddening  desire, 
I,  too,  shall  fling  myself 
Imploring  thee, 
Apollo,  lord  and  king  I 

Into  the  chill 

Embraces  of  the  sea, 

Less  cold  than  thine,  O  Phaon, 

I  shall  fall  — 

Fall  with  the  flutter  of  a  wounded  dove  ; 

And  I  shall  rise 

Indifferent  forever  to  love's  dream, 

Or  find  below 

The  sea's  eternal  voice, 

Eternal  peace. 


89 


EPIGRAMS 


THE  DUST  OF  TIMAS 

THIS  is  the  dust  of  Timas  !     Here  inurned 
Rest  the  dear  ashes  where  so  late  had  burned 
Her  spirit's  flame.     She  perished,  gentle  maid, 
Before  her  bridal  day  and  now  a  shade, 
Silent  and  sad,  she  evermore  must  be 
In  the  dark  chamber  of  Persephone. 
When  life  had  faded  with  the  flower  and  leaf, 
Each  girl  friend  sweet,  in  token  of  her  grief, 
Resigned  her  severed  locks  with  bended  head. 
Beauty's  fair  tribute  to  the  lovely  dead. 


93 


M' 


THE  PRIESTESS  OF  ARTEMIS 

AiDENS,  that  pass  my  tomb  with  laughter  sweet, 
A  voice  unresting  echoes  at  your  feet ; 
Pause,  and  if  any  would  my  story  seek, 
Dumb  as  I  am,  these  graven  words  will  speak ; 
Once  in  the  vanished  years  it  chanced  to  please 
Arista,  daughter  of  Hermocleides, 
To  dedicate  my  life  in  virgin  bliss 
To  thee,  revered  of  women,  Artemis  ! 
O  Goddess,  deign  to  bless  my  grandsire's  line. 
For  Saon  was  a  temple  priest  of  thine; 
And  grant,  O  Queen,  in  thy  benefic  grace, 
Unending  fame  and  fortune  to  his  race. 


94 


PELAGON 

ABOVE  the  lowly  grave  of  Pelagon, 
Ill-fated  fisher  lad,  Meniscus'  son, 
His  father  placed  as  sign  of  storm  and  strife 
The  weel  and  oar,  memorial  of  his  life. 


95 


FINIS 


INDEX 


SAPPHICS 


THE   MUSES 

3 

MUSAGETES 

4 

love's  banquet 

5 

MOON    AND   STARS 

6 

ODE   TO    ANACTORIA     . 

7 

THE    ROSE 

8 

ODE   TO    APHRODITE    . 

9 

SUMMER      .... 

lO 

THE   GARDEN    OF    THE    NYMPHS 

II 

aphrodite's    DOVES    . 

13 

ANACREON'S    SONG 

14 

the    DAUGHTER    OF   CYPRUS 

IS 

THE    DISTAFF       . 

i6 

THE   SLEEP   WIND 

17 

THE   REPROACH 

19 

LONG   AGO 

20 

EPITHALAMIA:  THRENODES 


HYMENAIOS 
BRIDAL   SONG      . 
EPITHALAMIUM 
PIERIA'S   ROSE    . 
LAMENT   FOR   ADONIS 
THE  STRICKEN   FLOWER 
DEATH 
PERSEPHONE 


23 
24 

25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 


97 


INDEX 

PARTHENEIA:  DIDAKTIKA 


MAIDENHOOD       . 

33 

EVER    MAIDEN     . 

34 

CLEIS 

35 

ASPIRATION 

36 

HERO,    OF    GYARA 

37 

COURAGE    . 

3& 

THE   BOAST   OF   ARES 

39 

GOLD 

40 

GNOMICS     . 

41 

PRIDE           .             .             .            . 

42 

LETO    AND    NIOBE 

43 

THE    DYE    . 

44 

EROTIKA:  DITHYRAMBS 


HYMN    TO    PAPHIA 

47 

EROS 

49 

PASSION 

50 

APHRODITE'S    PRAISE 

51 

THE    FIRST    KISS 

52 

ODE  TO   ATTHIS 

53 

COMPARISON         .... 

54 

THE   SACRIFICE 

LEDA            ...... 

55 
56 

AMCEBEUM  :    ALCiEUS    AND    SAPPHO 

57 

THE    LOVE    OF    SELENE 

58 

THE    CRETAN    DANCE 

59 

TO   ALCyEUS           .... 

61 

HYPORCHEME      .... 

62 

LARICHUS              .... 

63 

SPRING        ..... 

64 

98 


INDEX 


GIRL  FRIENDS 


PRELUDE    . 
ANDROMEDA 
EUNEICA     . 
GORGO 
MNASIDICA 
TELESIPPA 
GYRINNO    . 
MEGARA      . 
ERINNA       . 
GONGYLA    . 
DAMOPHYLA 
ANAGORA 


67 

68 
69 
70 

71 

72 

73 
74 

75 
76 

77 
78 


PHAON 


PHILOMEL 

81 

GOLDEN    PULSE 

82 

THE    SWALLOW    . 

83 

TIDINGS      . 

84 

HESPERUS 

85 

DAWN 

86 

THE   FAREWELL 

87 

DARK-EYED    SLEEP 

88 

THE   CLIFF   OF   LEUCAS 

89 

EPIGRAMS 


THE   DUST   OF   TIMAS 

THE   PRIESTESS   OF   ARTEMIS 

PELAGON     .... 


93 
94 
95 


PR/STED  BY 
SMITH  a-  SALE 
PORTLAND 
{MAINE 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 

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